622 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

for its tourist development program, is now planning the most ag-
gressive and imaginative advertising and promotion program Mary-
land has ever had. And I hope that before this meeting comes to a
close some positive program will be proposed to put Baltimore
squarely in the forefront of the visitor and convention business. We
both know that the convention business is big business and Baltimore
has to date failed to win its rightful share of the action.

I "would like to assure you that, as Governor, I am fully determined

to do all within my power to make our State a prime visitor attraction.
This means making Maryland's attractions better known outside as
well as within our borders. Few states can compete with Maryland's
diversified tourist potential — but Maryland must capitalize upon this
potential to compete for tourists. This will require doing a good deal
of hard core developmental work — as distinguished from travel ad-
vertising and promotion.

Let me illustrate. Maryland's greatest potential recreational attrac-
tion is the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries. This great inland
sea, with its tidal rivers and streams, is unexcelled for boating and
fishing. It is nationally recognized as a great yachting center. Its blue
crabs, clams, oysters and fish are world famous. But equally infamous
are certain inhabitants of our waters — the sea nettles and pollution.

We have already begun research on ways to eliminate the sea nettle
without upsetting the natural environment of the waters. Even more
important, this afternoon I am going to propose a massive and com-
prehensive water quality control program to the 1968 General As-
sembly which is designed to immediately and measurably combat
pollution. It is not difficult to calculate the increased visitors business
to be gained with pure, sea nettle-free waters.

Another problem adversely affecting Chesapeake Bay tourism has
resulted from traffic congestion about its waters. Since the William
Preston Lane, Jr., Memorial Bridge was opened in 1952, tourism and
the assessable base of Ocean City — the Eastern Shore's resort Mecca —
have grown 600 percent. With the construction of the three additional
bridges across the Bay authorized by the 1967 Legislature, both shores
stand to gain tremendously.

We are also working to expand and improve our parks system to
provide more facilities — not only for Marylanders, but for visitors
from out-of-State. The Game and Inland Fish Commission is acting
to increase the waterfowl and game population of the State. Our
Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs is moving ahead on a pro-